Fiscal court supports I-69; no action on Frankfort lobby event

Grady White Construction received the nod from Lyon Fiscal Court on Thursday to clear creeks local creeks of debris from the January ice storm. White, of Eddyville, submitted the low bid of $8,500. Six other bidders submitted quotes.
Other bidders and their bids were: Kenneth Glass, Princeton — $51,575.50; C.L. McBride, Louisville — $97,899; Craig Roberts, Princeton — $11,000; Clay Mohon, Hopkinsville — $45,173.80; Ethridge Excavating, Princeton — $20,000; Herring Construction, Eddyville — $63,000.
On another issue the court adopted a resolution supporting construction of Interstate 69 following a presentation by Lyon Chamber of Commerce President Rick Fullard.
Interstate 69 is the proposed north-south superhighway that when completed will bisect the United States connecting Canada and Mexico.
Several sections are already built including the initial segment from Port Huron, Mich. to Indianapolis, Ind. The 2,600-mile highway will enter Kentucky at Henderson and cross the state north to south passing through Lyon County via the Western Kentucky Parkway and Interstate 24.
“This is a critical trade route in the United States going from Canada all the way across the central part of the country down into Mexico,” Fullard said. “It passes through 150 counties and hundreds of cities directly serving 25 million people. ... The economic benefits are just phenomenal. ... The expected job creation is 27,000 new jobs. That equates to $11 billion in wages and another $19 billion in added value. ... The impact I-69 is going to have on Lyon County is phenomenal.”
Fullard received a negative response to his request for $500 to help sponsor West Kentucky Night on Feb. 4 in Frankfort. The event brings together western Kentucky leaders and legislators allowing locals to lobby lawmakers on behalf of community’s projects.
“It’s going to cost about $22,000, so we are looking for sponsorships,” Fullard said. “... This is all about getting things for western Kentucky.”
However, Magistrate Steve Cruce moved that the court not sponsor the event.
Judge-Executive Jimmy Campbell called for a second three times and hearing no response, Cruce’s motion died for lack of a second.
Campbell then moved that the court become a sponsor. His motion also died for lack of a second, and the court took no action.
“I think it’s shortsighted to take no action,” Fullard said.
In other business the court:
 Learned from County Clerk Sarah DeFew that local residents buying cars have gotten “better about licensing” their vehicles in Lyon County. She explained that it is important for county residents who buy their cars in other counties have the dealer license the car in Lyon County. “Bring your tax dollars home,” she said. “... That 3 percent immediately goes into the general fund. Then there’s more that comes back from the state. ... It’s strictly for roads.”
It was noted that some dealers say they will license the vehicle here, but then fail to do so. “If you have to get in the dealer’s face and insist they license the car here. ... She cited one woman who took her car back to the dealer, laid the keys in the salesman’s hand, and said, ‘You didn’t do what I told you to.’”
DeFew’s report showed she has returned excess fees of $237,0212.04 to county coffers so far this year.
 Voted to pay all the claims except $28, 417.50 to Crouch Building Associates, specifying Crouch would be paid when the steel for the new community building is delivered.
 Approved an agreement to receive $113,820 in state rural second road funds.
 Voted to close Wadlington Road.